Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Microvision: White Knight in Shining Armor (part 2)

Here's the news from this morning...

December 08, 2010
06:00 AM Eastern Time 

MicroVision and Pioneer to Jointly Commercialize Innovative Laser Display Products

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MicroVision, Inc. (NASDAQ: MVIS), a leader in innovative ultra-miniature laser display technology, announced today that it has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pioneer Corporation, one of the top original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of high-performance audio, video and computer equipment for the home, car and business markets, to develop, manufacture and distribute display engines and display engine subsystems for consumer and in-vehicle head-up displays (HUDs) using the MicroVision PicoP® laser display technology.
“We believe that by combining our respective market and product development capabilities, and leveraging best practices in manufacturing, MicroVision and Pioneer can accelerate introducing next-generation laser display products while reducing the total cost for both companies in getting there.”
Earlier this year, the two companies executed a joint development agreement to develop two critical components of the PicoP display engine: a laser light source module using direct red, blue, and green lasers and a separate display engine subsystem based on MicroVision’s patented PicoP laser scanning technology. Both are key pieces of the next-generation PicoP display engine that will offer OEMs significant commercial advantages in price, size, power, and performance for embedded solutions ranging from cell phones and eyewear, to airplanes and automobiles.

The MOU establishes the framework of a future manufacturing and commercial distribution agreement for PicoP-based display engines to be used in consumer, after-market and embedded automotive products. Pioneer has announced it is targeting commercial introduction of an in-vehicle HUD using PicoP technology into the consumer market in 2012.

“Pioneer has a strong history of bringing cutting edge technologies to mass markets,” stated Alexander Tokman, president and CEO of MicroVision. “We believe that by combining our respective market and product development capabilities, and leveraging best practices in manufacturing, MicroVision and Pioneer can accelerate introducing next-generation laser display products while reducing the total cost for both companies in getting there.”

Both Pioneer and MicroVision were recently recognized as finalists for the CEATEC Innovation Awards for 2010. Pioneer was recognized in the Automotive category for its demonstration of a HUD using laser scanning technology provided by MicroVision, and MicroVision was recognized in the Components category for its SHOWWX laser pico projector, powered by the PicoP display engine.

Continues...
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Here's the link...
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20101208005686/en/MicroVision-Pioneer-Jointly-Commercialize-Innovative-Laser-Display

In my last post─ on the subject of “Microvision: White Knight in Shining Armor”─ I wrote…

“Something is cooking at Microvision; and considering the available options at this stage, and knowing how Microvision management operates, it could be the “knight in shining armor” knocking at the door shortly.”

Well, there you have it.

Today's news is about Memorandum of Understanding; which in my opinion is the precursor to Pioneer Corporation coming on-board as the joint venture strategic partner... in other words, our “knight in shining armor”.

The reason I say Pioneer is coming on-board as the joint venture partner; is very obvious from the wording of the press release...

“We believe that by combining our respective market and product development capabilities, and leveraging best practices in manufacturing, MicroVision and Pioneer can accelerate introducing next-generation laser display products while reducing the total cost for both companies in getting there.”

And then consider this...

“Earlier this year, the two companies executed a joint development agreement to develop two critical components of the PicoP display engine: a laser light source module using direct red, blue, and green lasers and a separate display engine subsystem based on MicroVision’s patented PicoP laser scanning technology. Both are key pieces of the next-generation PicoP display engine that will offer OEMs significant commercial advantages in price, size, power, and performance for embedded solutions ranging from cell phones and eyewear, to airplanes and automobiles.”

We're all too familiar with the Azimuth funding situation, so I believe at this point the management had to be looking at some serious alternatives. Here's some quotes from the 3rd Qtr earnings conference call...

"...As a result of these events, most recent events, we have immediately accelerated our internal efforts to develop and commercialize the best performance, tiniest, low-cost engine for the high-volume consumer applications based on direct green lasers. We're in the process currently of selecting strong partners, who will help us to accelerate this effort, such that, our time-lines match the commercialization of the direct green laser time-lines."

This is what Alex Tokman, Microvision CEO said, when answering a question about cost containment...

"...We're gonna rely for, uh, for this second-generation engine, we're gonna very closely ally ourselves with, uh, one or two strategic partners, who will take on a lot more of a development and manufacturing than what we've done in the past."

I don't know what this means to you?

But to me, it means strategic partnership with sharing of joint venture costs and surely there's a possibility of equity funding from a strategic partner.

Once the market realizes the full impact of this strategic partnership with Pioneer Corporation, the MVIS stock price may start on the path to recovery, which in turn should allow Microvision to tap into the remaining money under the Azimuth facility starting now and more at a later date.

For a company like Microvision, with huge future potential but running out of cash while waiting for cheap diode lasers, Pioneer is the “knight in shining armor” and is the friendly enterprise that comes-on-board upon invitation of the management… and possibly offers cash, but surely shares development costs, for the next crucial 36 months, in exchange for an opportunity to joint venture in mega billion dollar market potential.

The good thing in this relationship is that; there are no stock dilutions from progressively increasing number of shares and warrants.

Having said that… 
Microvision’s current financial situation leaves them vulnerable to possible “hostile takeover” and the corporate management may be exploring every possible cost saving and additional funding strategy for the company in an effort to continue as an independent enterprise.

The only problem is; it may be too late to conserve available capital, including additional funds raised thru Azimuth─ if any, and make it last another 36 months as an independent “going concern”.

This joint venture strategic partnership, or whatever else you may call it, is the best of all possible avenues to financial survival and future growth without giving away the keys to the store.

I’m sure the recent purchase of a patent portfolio from Motorola was at the heart of this deal with Pioneer... because, it not only strengthens Microvision’s patent portfolio but also makes their [Microvision] laser based pico projection technology IP portfolio so much more broader that companies like Pioneer may find it cheaper to “join them” rather than “fight them”.

That is all good.

However, it’s not more patents and diversity of products that Microvision needs at this stage. What they need is fiscal responsibility to conserve capital for the next 24 to 36 months while they patiently wait for cheap diode/SHG green lasers… because without cheap green lasers, Microvision will not survive as a financially viable independent entity,­ with or without Pioneer.

You are right, this joint venture with Pioneer [ whether you see it for what it is or not] is the most significant and positive news for Microvision employees and its investors.

It may not be obvious to the naked eye...
  • Pioneer is the "knight in shining armor" and they don't even know it. Equity funding from Pioneer is always possible... but it is not necessary while Azimuth funding is still in place.
  • This “knight in shining armor” comes with NO stock dilution to the existing stockholders... and that's a very good thing under the circumstances.
  • Microvision just transferred [some] of their SG&A and R&D cost to the joint venture with Pioneer... without laying-off any key personnel.
  • Microvision just about [indirectly] solved its funding issue... because, sooner or later the market would recognize the financial significance of this joint venture and with PPS increasing gradually, the funding from Azimuth would keep flowing.
  • Microvision just expanded their product offering to include Integrated RGB Laser Light Modules, Integrated Photonic Modules, and PicoP Display Engines.
The biggest news is...

This joint venture would now allow Microvision to introduce [spec] consumer products in partnership with Pioneer as a strategically aligned OEM with deep pockets... rather than waiting for OEM customers to come to the table with firm commitment to dollars, time-lines and product configurations.

Anant Goel


5 comments:

  1. Joint venture will develop, manufacture, market and distribute...

    1) Integrated RGB Laser Light Module.

    That's huge market in itself... selling laser light source in modular form to the likes of TI, Syndiant and so on. It’s like being a toll collector for each laser based pico projector sold in the future.

    Microvision and Motorola have some patents directly protecting the technology [necessary] to integrate RGB laser diodes in a modular format. This product is in development right now.

    2) Integrated Photonic Module. That's Microvision's core business and the product already exists. And the market is huge worldwide as we already know.

    3) PicoP Display Engines. That's Microvision's core business and the product already exists. Again, it’s a huge market.

    With Microvision offering so much to the joint venture, I expect Pioneer to pick-up most of the development and marketing cost from here-on.

    And don’t forget, these are the initial stages of a joint venture in the making. We will hear more in the future, I’m sure.

    Anant

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pioneer is first of the two strategic partners.

    Expect to hear one more name soon.

    ReplyDelete
  3. MOU is the initial step in the process of coming to terms with the scope [and details] of a strategic venture/OEM partnership.

    Microvision brings more to the table than Pioneer does and that kinda leads to complicated horse trading with the Japanese.

    It has taken a few months to arrive to this point; since early engagement with Pioneer in March 2010.

    Anant

    ReplyDelete
  4. Someone asked the question...

    "Why MOU and not a Letter of Intent?"

    Well, MOU goes a step farther than a Letter of Intent. I’m sure you could look-up the information over the Internet.

    Anyway, here’s some info you may find useful…

    “A memorandum of understanding (MOU or MoU) is a document describing a bilateral or multilateral agreement between parties. It expresses a convergence of will between the parties, indicating an intended common line of action. It is often used in cases where parties either do not imply a legal commitment or in situations where the parties cannot create a legally enforceable agreement. It is a more formal alternative to a gentlemen's agreement.

    In some serious cases, depending on the exact wording, MoUs can have the binding power of a contract; as a matter of law, contracts do not need to be labeled as such to be legally binding. Whether or not a document constitutes a binding contract depends only on the presence or absence of well-defined legal elements in the text proper of the document (the so-called "four corners"). For example, a binding contract typically must contain mutual consideration—a legally enforceable obligations of the parties, and its formation must take place free of the so-called real defenses to contract formation (fraud, duress, lack of age or mental capacity, etc.).

    In private U.S. law, MoU is a common synonym for a letter of intent.

    One example is the MoU between Bush and Kerry for the 2004 debates iii."

    Here's the link for more information...

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorandum_of_understanding

    ReplyDelete
  5. While at the blog, check-out the article on...

    “Microvision: What’s New in Laser Land?”

    Integrate RGB Laser Light Module will be a multi-billion dollar value-add business and the joint partnership, between Pioneer and Microvision, would acts as a conduit between the laser light makers and the laser light bakers [the OEM].

    Regardless of who makes the original laser light, the ILLM would have uniform specs, consistent performance metrics and very competitive cost structure... with very attractive margins.

    For Microvision, this represents an additional product revenue stream besides the well known product offerings we have been made aware of to-date.

    Anant

    ReplyDelete